R&B star Fantasia stopped by the Regis & Kelly show yesterday to perform ‘I’m Here’ from the The Color Purple Broadway production; which she’s currently starring in as the lead character Celie. Check out the performance:

I’m really liking this performance; it seems every time Fantasia sings the song she switches it up and adds something new. The American Idol singer has been getting rave reviews for her performance in The Color Purple Broadway show and this definitely shows why.

R&B singer Kelly Rowland continues the promotional rounds for her latest effort ‘Ms Kelly’, this time dropping by radio station 97.9 The Beat in Dallas, Texas. Rowland was interviewed and performed two of her hits – current single ‘Like This’ and the 2002 smash ‘Dilemma’.

The interview was interesting to say the least; Kelly openly spoke about a number of things including ‘The Fall’ bandmate Michelle Williams took on BET 106 & Park a few years back. Both performances sounded great too. Check it out…

Having been signed to Island Def Jam by the label’s newly appointed President of Urban Music, Jermaine Dupri, Jagged Edge are back. The R&B quartet have enlisted the help of Ashanti on the JD-produced ‘Put A Little’; the song will apparently feature on their upcoming new album. I’m liking the track alot; it’s reminiscent of their trademark slow jams. Ashanti really comes through on this one and her verse is the highlight of the song.

Rihanna flaunts more of her new ‘image’ in the upcoming issue of GIANT magazine. The stunning 19 year old star, whose hit ‘Umbrella’ is at the top of both the UK and US charts, strips down to her lingerie in the photo shoot. In the issue, the Bajan beauty speaks on her father’s cocaine addiction, as well as the rumoured ‘beef’ between herself and Beyonce over Jay-Z. On the Beyonce situation, she said:

Nice to see her address the Beyonce/Jay-Z matter; although I doubt it will quash the rumours. Though her music doesn’t move me, I must say that Rihanna knows how to take a picture. If the music career dries, modelling is her best option. The pictures are hot…

R&B singer Tamia recently performed a set for MSN Canada at the Orange Lounge in Toronto. The singer, who is six months pregnant, gave near-flawless renditions of some of her hits including ‘Officially Missing You’ and ‘Can’t Get Enough’. I have her most recent album ‘Between Friends’ on constant rotation, so it was great to see some of the tracks performed live. Real R&B at it’s best. Check it out…

This new clip is from one the songs on Mario’s upcoming third album ‘Go!’ – due July 31st. As with most of the material I’ve heard from the set, I’m really liking the Underdogs produced ‘Why’. Mario seems to have stepped up majorly from his previous efforts and ‘Go!’ is shaping up to be one great album. The only thing I don’t understand is why his label, J Records, opted to go with ‘How Do I Breathe’ as the lead single when there are much better tracks on the CD. Anyway, check out the song…

As Kelly Rowland preps the release of her sophomore CD ‘Ms Kelly’ (due July 3rd), a new track from the set has surfaced on a Tapemasters Inc mixtape. This version of ‘Work’ features rapper Fat Joe, although it’s unclear whether he will feature on the album version. The uptempo track, produced by Scott Storch, sees Kelly in unfamiliar territory – we haven’t heard anything from her like this before. It’s not what I initially expected and I’m liking some of the other tracks from the set better, but it’s still a good song nonetheless.

The next single from Mya’s forever-delayed album ‘Liberation’ has surfaced. The JR Rotem produced ‘Walka Not A Talka is a whimsical uptempo track that would should do well in the clubs. I’m liking it, it’s a grower and takes a few listens to grasp. Snoop’s verse meshes well with the track too. I’m thinking this should have been the first single instead of ‘Lock U Down’ – which isn’t doing anything on the charts.

The pic above is the official cover for T.I.’s forthcoming album ‘T.I. Vs T.I.P’. It seems everyone is trying to pass off some kind of ‘alter ego’ nowadays; T.I. must have got the memo late. I’m hoping the CD isn’t a gimmick though, as T.I. usually delivers with his albums. ‘T.I. Vs T.I.P’ hits stores July 3rd.

In news that is sure to disappoint Mya’s fans, the singer has once again pushed back her new album ‘Liberation’. The CD, which was due to hit stores on August 14th, will now drop on September 18th -as confirmed by her label Universal/Motown.

As the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, preps his comeback album, former collaborator Quincy Jones has stated that he will not be working on the project. According to Jones – who masterminded the ‘Off The Wall’, ‘Thriller’ and ‘Bad’ albums – he and Jackson have had conversations about the possibility of collaborating again but he isn’t interested. Jones had the following to say: ‘Man please, I’ve got enough to do. We already did that. I have talked to him about working with him again but I’ve got too much to do. I’ve got 900 products. I’m 74 years old. Give me a break.’

On the one hand, Quincy working on the CD looks good on paper-mainly for nostalgia. Yet, I can’t remember the last thing he’s produced. I think Michael should just stick with confirmed producers Will.i.Am, Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins and Ne-Yo and hurry with that album. The currently untitled CD is slated to drop toward the end of the year.

Ever since hearing about the ‘amicable’ split between Teairra Mari and Roc-A-Fella Records, I have been wondering where the Detroit singer has been. After having some success with hits ‘Make A Girl Feel’ and ‘No Daddy’ back in 2005, Mari kinda disappeared. When she debuted, Def Jam president Jay-Z touted her as the ‘Princess of The Roc’; so many were surprised when the label quietly released her in October 2006 – especially since her sophomore album ‘Second Round’ was already completed. Since then, Mari has signed a deal with Interscope Records and is set to release her 2nd album in the summer. The first single from the set is scheduled to drop anytime from now.Though many criticised Teairra’s first album for being too sexually suggestive i.e. ‘Make A Girl Feel’ (she was 17 when it was released), I enjoyed the CD. Aside from the singles, tracks like the Darkchild produced ‘Stay in Ya Lane’ were hot. I’m hoping she does well this time around as there are less-talented artists out now who are selling.

Will you be checking for Teairra?